The Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000 by the National Basketball Association for violating the league’s player participation policy, prompting conflicting accounts between head coach Rick Carlisle and league officials.

Speaking on 107.5 The Fan, Carlisle criticized the investigation, claiming league officials did not consult the team’s doctors or players before issuing the fine.

He pointed specifically to injured forward Aaron Nesmith, stating Nesmith had suffered an injury the night before and “couldn’t hold the ball,” making it unreasonable to expect him to play.

Carlisle described it as “ridiculous” that a league lawyer, without medical examination, concluded the player was fit to participate.

Carlisle further explained that the team had offered investigators access to their medical staff, who had documented Nesmith’s condition, but said the offer was declined.

He added that league doctors never examined the player and investigators also refused to interview players directly.

Carlisle expressed disbelief that investigators even asked whether the team had considered medicating Nesmith to make him available, particularly during a difficult season when the team was significantly below .500.

He suggested the investigative process lacked proper medical consultation and failed to fully consider the player’s health and documented injury.

The NBA, however, disputed Carlisle’s version of events, stating his description of the investigation was “inaccurate.”

According to the league, the medical review was led by an independent physician, and interviews were conducted with the Pacers’ general manager and senior vice president of sports medicine and performance.

The NBA also said the team confirmed it had provided all requested information and indicated that interviews with Carlisle or team physicians were not necessary.

Carlisle, a veteran coach in his 24th NBA season, holds over 1,000 career wins and has won championships both as a player with the Boston Celtics and as a coach with the Dallas Mavericks, further underscoring the significance of his criticism amid the ongoing dispute.